First Day Vacation Awesomeness

we arrived in san francisco at about noon. (evidently you're supposed to call it "the city" not "frisco" or "san fran" or you'll mark yourself an obvious tourist). our flight was direct and went very smoothly. i got some studying done (GUILTILY did bring some work with me) and started reading "middlesex" by jeffrey eugenides (a friend recommended "the virgin suicides" by the same author- i'll get to that one after i finish this one) and i'm loving it so far. i also bought "wideacre" by philippa gregory who wrote "the other boleyn girl" which i enjoyed. i've learned that i like historical fiction- especially about kings and queens and such. according to what i've read, their lives were like american celebrities' but SO much more scandalous and crazy. i also enjoyed"marie antoinette" by antonia fraser. (both those books were made into bad movies- for the record, i read the books first and not because they were connected to their cinematic counterparts- herumph!).

we didn't spend much time in the city, but i made a few observations. firstly, there are a lot of environmental awareness signs around like "only use what you need" on the paper towel dispenser in the airport bathroom. and the homeless people digging in the trash cans in front of starbucks look more like young hippies i know than the sad, aging, addicts i'm accustomed to seeing on the sides of streets in my part of the world.

it's a beautiful city from what we saw- the houses on the hill sides floored me. the ocean, the fog hanging over and moving QUICKLY up and down the hills. it's really enchanting. i can't wait to go back and see more of it.

we rented a gold chrysler sebring convertible (WOO!) to drive around in and it's roomy enough for all of us and stylish enough for a california getaway (HOO!). we crossed the golden gate bridge to head north to muir woods (http://www.visitmuirwoods.com/), a famous preserved redwood forest just northeast of the city. we walked on a "moderate" trail about 4.5 miles round trip and it was breathtaking and amazing to see the sheer size of these trees, the vastness of the woods. the trail was a little challenging for those of us in sandals- but was a good workout and a lot of fun.

we then headed over to napa valley. it's everything i expected and more. gorgeous hills and valleys, fields of grape leaves as far as you can see. and the villas that mark each vineyard are magnificent- sprawling, amazing architecture. i'll get more pics as we go. the bed and breakfast we're staying in is old and gorgeous. an elvis movie was filmed here back in the day, apparently. so i'm hoping for a peanut butter and banana sandwich at some point. :) we sat under the stars last night and drank a parallel rows petit sirah (2005, by 'the blue horse wine and cattle company') that was very "berry forward and light in tannins." (see? i'm practicing). today we're off to eat at the best local restaurant..."the french laundry" (http://www.frenchlaundry.com/). it's somewhere between 5 and 9 courses and is promised to be incredible. many more wine and food tales to come....